For the past little bit we Township folks have heard much hot air from politicians that are purporting to have extensive business experience and credentials. This same minority then try to use this so-called experience and credentials to sell their "watchdog" approach to civic politics and the fiscal accountability line. Our Editorial Board is full of successful men and women. We all agree that most academics that we have come into contact with in the business world have lots of theories and book knowledge, but couldn't manage a small summer lemonade stand if their lives depended on it. This is why most young people these days begin their "education" the day they start their first real job. It is also why Bill Gates decided to drop out and do something with his mind and skills sooner rather than later. Not a good testament to educators eh? It is not something we recommend, but with the state of academics today, one has to wonder.
It is very easy to claim things during an election locally, as no one has the time or money to check. But after the election if the candidate is successful, you can look at their voting records, what they say and what they do as a signal of whether their expertise is a fantasy of their minds. One of the most fascinating bit of business advice this editor received many years ago was a simple statement. "How you do anything is how you do everything". What you do and how you do it impacts everything you do. I you constantly cry wolf in business or politics, people will soon tune you out. If you pander to those vocal elements in the community you will soon get shunned by the mainstream. If you propose fool-hearty motions you will soon be ignored by your colleagues and enjoy very little respect among them.
If you profess to be pillar of financial accountability and watchdog-ism, then how you do anything is how you do everything, right? Well, examine these expense reports from various TOL council members. Not that it would explain such a high amount, but how many on this list have full-time jobs and how many actually attend many meetings because they are retired and can? If you have a fulltime job, wouldn't you be expected to spend less taxpayer dollars? Wouldn't you at least be expected to spend less than that of a fulltime mayor?
You be the judge. But just remember this wise saying... How you do anything is how you do everything. Don't by fooled by politicians masquerading as watchdogs.
2006
Mel Kositsky $11,386
Kim Richter $9,001
Grant Ward $6,388
Bob Long $5,786
Steve Ferguson $5,119
Kurt Alberts $3,577
Howie Vickberg $818
Jordan Bateman $240
Charlie Fox $0
2007
Bob Long $8,007
Grant Ward $7,615
Kim Richter $6,641
Mel Kositsky $6,547
Steve Ferguson $4,936
Kurt Alberts $2,419
Jordan Bateman $1,137
Howie Vickberg $562
Charlie Fox $238
2 comments:
Are you able to tell us what the expenses were for?
Very interesting information.
Expenses claimed by council members often include such things as costs associated with attending regional and national meetings like the BC Union of Municipalities, etc. that are sometimes held in Whistler and elsewhere. Unfortunately no break-out is published by the TOL for public consumption, but we would guess they are not staying at the local MOTEL 8.
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